Getting Controversial

I generally stay away from controversy on here, because I really don’t like confrontation. But, I think I might have to break my rule today.

Joe, the kids, and I went out to eat on Saturday evening. While we were waiting for our food, I casually checked Facebook on my cell phone and saw a post from some group about how there is controversy surrounding Beyonce breastfeeding in a restaurant. I think the title was “Beyonce Caught Breastfeeding in Public”. Caught. Like she was doing something wrong. The irony of the situation? This is what I was doing when I read it:

I quickly handed Joe my phone and said, “Please take a picture, I’ll be blogging about this.”

Later that night, I got on the computer and read a few articles about it - and made the mistake of reading the comments at the end of one of them…

That is a pretty good representation of the opinions I’ve seen. When I read the comments similar to that of the second one, it made me so sad and angry… and I even started to question my own actions. Had I done anything to make anyone uncomfortable? Was I oblivious to people around me giving me mean looks for feeding my baby? How many people feel this way? Should I even CARE what these people think? If I waited to leave the house in between feedings, I would never leave, and if I hid in a bathroom every time Jace was hungry when we were out of the house, I might as well pay rent for a stall.

I can somewhat understand why people have conflicting opinions about this. Joe is a plumber, and goes in countless houses every day. He has told me that on more than one occasion, he was discussing something with a customer, and she started breastfeeding mid-sentence. My first reaction is that of a wife. “You mean some woman showed you her boob?!” But then the mother in me, and common sense, quickly took over. “Well I’m sure her baby was hungry. I doubt enticing you with her leaky breast was her goal. Breastfeeding! Yea!”

Personally, I always cover up when I’m not at home. I feel more comfortable doing so. I think it’s a natural reaction to feel shocked with you see a breast in a place you wouldn’t normally. But that is where I feel like common sense has to prevail. Breastfeeding is the most natural act in the world. Breasts have been sexualized in our culture, but their true purpose is to feed babies, and I can assure you that showing off our chest is NOT on our mind when we are unhooking our nursing bra. If it’s not okay for women to breastfeed their children in public, how is it okay for the lady at the table across from you in the restaurant to wear a super low-cut shirt with her cleavage hanging out all over the place?

I know I haven’t said anything that hasn’t been said before, but I needed to vent. Breastfeeding Jace has been a wonderful experience that I want every mother to have if she chooses to. If there wasn’t such a stigma attached, and more women in the public eye breastfed openly, maybe more women would. So, GO BEYONCE!

I’ll leave you with what I posted on Facebook after reading this article…

“Wth? I've nurse Jace at the park, walking around Target, Kroger, the furniture store, the mall, just about every other store in Louisville, sitting on the floor of Summer's kindergarten classroom, at our table at restaurants, at my friends' work, at countless relatives houses, at McDonalds while the kids played, I could go on... when a baby is hungry, they're hungry. I don't understand the comments on this article and I don't understand people's bizarre attitudes about the most natural thing on the planet…”

Dear Jace: Six Weeks

Jace… you are six weeks old! Actually closer to seven now. It seems like you were just born a few days ago. I’m sure I’ll be saying that forever… I still say it about your sisters.

You go to your check-up next week, but when I weighed you at home, you were 11.2 lbs. You’re wearing mostly 0-3 months clothes, and have completely outgrown the newborn stuff.

I am still exclusively breastfeeding you… you haven’t had formula since the stupid nurses in the hospital gave you some. You are doing really well with nursing, and eat every 3 or 4 hours. You go a little longer at night between feedings, which is great for me! Although we’ve both figured out how to co-sleep and nurse safely so I feel like I get plenty of sleep on most nights. I love waking up and seeing you sleep soundly next to me.

You finally stopped pooping with every feeding, so it might be time to try out some cloth diapers! Hopefully it’s not as overwhelming as it seems like it could be.

Your sisters adore you and help Daddy and I out a lot, getting your pacifier or a diaper, handing you to us from the swing, talking and playing with you… you are one spoiled-with-love little boy!

I left you for the first time a few nights ago, to see your cousin Richard’s band play. It was only for a few hours but I worried about you the whole time! I knew you were safe with Grandpa and I had pumped milk for you, but I was afraid you would fuss the whole time. You did, apparently, but I think Grandpa still loves you anyway.

You have some fussy times during the day like most babies, usually around 9pm or so, but you get over it pretty quickly. No signs of colic around here!

You love laying in your swing. It puts you to sleep pretty quickly, but if you are awake you watch the mobile spin or stare out the window at the sky. You also love to be carried around in my Boba Wrap. You sleep so soundly and I can get things done around the house!

Your biggest milestone to-date: An hour after I commented on someone’s Facebook picture of their baby boy smiling, saying I can’t wait for you to start smiling… you did! On purpose! I haven’t caught a good one on camera yet, so this one of you smiling in your sleep will have to do. So precious, and look at that dimple!

Next milestone on the list: Getting one of this big baby belly laughs out of you, because there is nothing better than that!

Homemade Crib Mobile… Owls and Stars

When I was planning Jace’s nursery, I knew I wanted it to be unique, clean, and somewhat modern. I didn’t have a specific theme in mind, just colors – a dark teal, and white.

It took me a really long time to choose bedding. After a lot of thought and hours on Pinterest and Etsy, I decided that a plain white crib sheet and bedskirt were the way to go. Since bumpers were out of the picture due to the increased risk of SIDS using them creates, and I wanted a clean look in the room, it made sense to keep it simple.

Without a theme or bedding set, and with the challenge of creating a unique, clean, and modern look in the room, I knew we needed to get creative with the crib mobile. I’d spent some time on Etsy looking at handmade mobiles and didn’t see why I couldn’t make one myself. I employed the help of my mom and aunt Susan, and we got to work over the next several weeks creating an owl and star mobile.

All the materials were purchased at Hobby Lobby… dowel rods, little hooks, felt, stuffing, and embroidery thread.

It looks so cute in there. I’m going to get a few better pictures tomorrow, from farther back in the room to get a better perspective, and I’ll add it to this post, so check back!

Here is a felt pillow I made with our first “test owl”. So cute!

Our New Normal

We’re slowly starting to find our new normal as a family of five.

Things are going so well. I really couldn’t have hoped for a smoother transition into life with a newborn. We’re blessed to have such a good, sweet, adorable baby. The adorable part is pretty important – the late night feedings aren’t as bad when they’re super cute.

I mentioned Joe’s crazy work schedule before… When we decided that he should accept this new position, we did it a bit reluctantly, hoping that it was the right decision for our family. It requires so many more hours of hard work from him than the position and schedule he’s had for years. But it was such a great opportunity for him and for our family. We agreed that we would take it one day at a time and so far, so good. With Joe being gone the second half of the day and into the night most days, and then needing to sleep in the mornings after a late night, it’s required a lot more of me as a mom. I’ve had to do the grueling after school homework, dinner, baths, and bedtime alone most days for the last few months. Some days are worse than others, but for the most part, it’s been easier than I anticipated and Jace has fit right into the routine, not really making it more difficult, just making it a little different.

Summer and Camryn have adjusted so well to having a baby brother around. We wondered what would happen when we threw this little living, breathing being into their world but they have been amazing. They haven’t acted jealous of all the attention he gets at all, and they love to spend time with him, hold him, and help us when we need something. Sometimes, they want to be a little too involved… I’ve had to have several talks with them on why they can’t pick him up and carry him around the house.

Baby Pictures!

I don't know if this happens to everyone, or just me, but having a cold temporarily disables my brain cells. I have been so out of it the last couple days. Both of the girls and I have colds. It's always something. I can't believe how many times we have been sick this winter. I can't imagine what's going to happen when they start school and are exposed to sick germs every day.

Today has been a pretty boring day. So far it has consisted of Lego's, Doodlebops, chicken noodle soup, and a long nap (Summer and Camryn, not me, unfortunately).

I spent some time looking at the pictures on my MySpace today. I miss when Summer and Camryn were this little!











Seeing those really made me want to have another one. My mom is going to read that and call me. And lecture me about how expensive kids are, probably. Haha.

It has somehow taken me over an hour to write this. Joe is home from work now and it's time to decide what is for dinner. Have a great weekend!